Sennheiser GuidePort User guide

GuidePort – EMP
System Manual
Version 1.0 of 27 July 2000
Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
Am Labor 1
30 00 Wedemark
Germany

GuidePort: System Manual 27. November 2000 Seite 2
1 GuidePort Wireless Audio Transmission
GuidePort is a local area broadcast system for use in museums, visitor centers and at
e hibitions. GuidePort features a characteristic cell structure, the so-called cells being
defined areas of information and entertainment. These areas are supplied by Cell
Transmitters which send digitally coded information via an Active Antenna Unit to
portable Receivers. The transmitted data can be any audio information, for e ample
comments or music. The audio signals are picked up by bodypack receivers which play
the audio program directly via headphones. The various audio programs (events) can
be triggered automatically by magnetic field identifiers.
The diagram on the ne t page shows GuidePort’s system hierarchy. At the top level are
the GuidePort installations. Each installation carries a specific code transmitted via RF.
Whenever a GuidePort receiver recognizes a new installation code, it will automatically
collect the installation-specific control data. This data is mainly the so-called Event
Assign Table which defines the receiver’s “reactions” to the 255 possible event
numbers available in each installation, making the receiver compatible with other
separate, independent GuidePort installations.
An installation can be seen as a macro cell. Each installation can be organized in up to
255 cells and contains up to 255 real-time audio events.

GuidePort: System Manual 27. November 2000 Seite 3
GuidePor
t
Installation
INST. No. 1 GuidePor
t
Installation
INST. No. 3
GuidePor
t
Installation
INST. No. 2
cell 1
cell 2
cell 3
cell 4 …
cell 255
cell 5
GuidePort Cell
with one or more
Cell Transmitters
Event 1 Event 2
Event 3
Event 5
Event 4
Event
Event
N
One installation
can handle up to 255 events
which may be organized in
up to 255 cells
GuidePort S
y
stem Hierarch
y
One cell transmitter
can handle up to 4
mono audio channels
and transmit them on
one RF channel

GuidePort: System Manual 27. November 2000 Seite 4
Cell Transmitte
r
Central Unit PC with
•GP Central Unit
Software
•Sound card with a
samplingrateof
32 kHz
•G7++ converter and
announcement
software
Base Station PC
with
Cell Transmitter
Loader Software
Base Station PC
with
Cell Transmitter
Loader Software
Audio Source 1 -4
PC Network
Base Station PC
with
Cell Transmitter
Loader Software
USB Hub
USB
USB Hub
Audio Source 1 -4
Active
Antenna Unit
RF CH 1
Cell Transmitte
r
Active
Antenna Unit
RF CH 4
Cell Transmitte
r
Event
#3
Event
#4
Event
#5
Event
#6
GP
Receiver
Ext.
Antenna
(
opt.
)
Event
#2
Event
#1
Exhibition
room 1
Exhibition
room 2
Exhibition
room 3
Exhibition
room 7
Technical
room 1
LVDS LVDS
USB
Exhibition
room 5
Exhibition
room 6
Exhibition
room 4
Technical equipment required for an e hibition with GuidePort
Supervisor

GuidePort: System Manual 27. November 2000 Seite 5
2 Hardware Components of the System
2.1 Central Unit PC
The Central Unit PC with its Central Unit Software is at the heart of the GuidePort
system. It serves to configure the entire GuidePort installation with its cells,
transmitters, events and identifiers. Via a network, the Central Unit PC is connected
with all Base Station PCs of the GuidePort installation.
2.2 Base Station PC
The Base Station PC with its Cell Transmitter Loader Software detects the IDs of all
Cell Transmitters connected to it via a USB. The Base Station PC will transmit the
configuration files created by the Central Unit Software to the Cell Transmitters.
2.3 Cell Transmitter
2.3.1 escription
A Cell Transmitter is a digital unit which picks up prepared MTS data and combines
them with installation-specific control tables and the real-time audio information from its
four analog audio inputs. Via an LVDS interface, the entire data stream is sent to an
Active Antenna Unit where FSK modulation and RF conversion take place. The
transmission of the MTS data is done in a cyclic manner. The cable length between the
Cell Transmitter and the Active Antenna Unit may amount to up to 150 m, which
ensures a convenient installation of the local antennas.
1234
Analog RTA Inputs
Cell Controller
Unit
USB
Interface
LVDS
Interface
Data
Download
To Active Antenna Unit
Base Station

GuidePort: System Manual 27. November 2000 Seite 6
2.3.2 Hardware Interfaces
a) Front panel
Headphone Outputs
Allow you to monitor the audio signals transmitted to the receivers.
b) Rear panel
USB IN:
Input socket for the USB cable from the Base Station PC.
ANALOG IN SYM.:
Inputs for connecting your audio sources to the transmitter. There are four balanced
inputs, you can either connect 4 mono sources, 2 mono sources and 1 stereo source or
2 stereo sources. For a stereo audio source, you will need two sockets (left and right
channel), please use inputs 1 & 2 and/or 3 & 4. Connect the left audio channel to
socket No. 1 or 3, the right audio channel to No. 2 or 4, respectively.
The following table shows how to connect your audio sources to the GuidePort Cell
Transmitter:
Number and kind of audio
sources
Input No. 1 Input No. 2 Input No. 3 Input No. 4
4 mono (m) m m m m
2mono(m),1stereo(s) m m s,left s,right
2 stereo (s) s, left s, right s, left s, right
AAU OUT
Output for connection of an Active Antenna Unit. Use a shielded, 8-wire twisted pair
cable (4 individually twisted pairs) for connection. This cable supplies the Active
Antenna Unit with DC and the digital data stream to be transmitted.
SET SET
Gu
i
de
P
o
r
t
SR
3000
-2
TX I TX II
TX II
AAU OUT
0
I
USB IN ANALOG IN SYM. TIP: +
RING:
-
1
2
3
4
TX I
AAU OUT
USB IN ANALOG IN SYM. TIP: +
RING:
-
1
2
3
4

GuidePort: System Manual 27. November 2000 Seite 7
2.3.3 User Interface ( isplay and Controls)
Menu layout of the GuidePort Cell Transmitter:
AAU SETTINGS SET SET AAU 01
AAU 02
AAU 08
RF CH
EXT ANT
MTS
RF ATTEN
SET
SET
SET
1...95
NC
ON
OFF
NC
01
02
OFF
00...06
TX OK
CCU ID
SET
SET
RTA VOL VOL
SET Ma . 32
Default 16
Min. 1
SET
RTA CH ON
OFF
SET SET
SET
CH 01
CH 02
CH 04
SET
N.B.: f there is no input for about 90 secs
the display will show “TX OK”
SET
SET
RTA ID SET CH 01 {event name} { event ID}
CH 02 {event name} { event ID}
CH 12 {event name} { event ID}
SET
e.g.
CH 01 Jimi Hendri 005
N.B.: Te t will be scrolled.
CH 12 NC

GuidePort: System Manual 27. November 2000 Seite 8
2.3.4 Technical ata
AF IN
Frequency 40 - 14,000 Hz
Input level mVrms
Impedance 660 Ωbalanced input
Audio sources 4 mono
2stereo
1 stereo, 2 mono
AF IN 1, 2, 3, 4
AFIN1&2(1=left,2=right)
3&4; (3 = left, 4 = right)
AF IN 1&2 or 3&4 (stereo);
remaining inputs for mono
sources
USB IN
AAU OUT
DC output +15 V
Ima
200 mA
Data rate 1,024 Mbit/s
Output level 350 mVpp LVDS standard
Headphone Output
Output level mVpp AF input level 350mVrms
Output impedance 32 Ω

GuidePort: System Manual 27. November 2000 Seite 9
2.2 Active Antenna Unit
2.2.1 escription
The Active Antenna Unit receives the data stream from the Cell Transmitter via an
LVDS interface. The data stream is then FSK modulated onto an RF carrier in the 2.4
GHz ISM Band and transmitted to the GuidePort receivers. Settings for transmission
frequency, RF output power and the antenna to be used (internal or e ternal antenna)
are controlled by the Cell Transmitter.
2.2.2 Hardware Interfaces
MTS IN
Connects the Active Antenna Unit to the GuidePort Cell Transmitter. The connection
cable supplies the Antenna Unit with both DC and the digital data stream to be
transmitted. When the associated Cell Transmitter is switched on, it will automatically
configure the Antenna Unit.
MTS OUT
For connecting (daisy-chaining) a second Active Antenna Unit. The second Antenna
Unit will transmit the same data stream, but on another RF carrier. This feature is not
available in this customized version, instead you can connect measuring equipment to
MTS OUT.
RF OUT
For connecting an optional, e ternal directional antenna. If you want to use an e ternal
antenna, you have to select the “E ternal Antenna” option when configuring the Cell
Transmitter with the Central Unit software.
2.2.3 User Interface
ADDRESS
The Active Antenna Unit is automatically configured by the Cell Transmitter when the
transmitter is switched on. The default address is No. 1. Presently, other addresses are
not supported.
RF OUT ADDRESS OUT MTS IN
GuidePort AM 3000

GuidePort: System Manual 27. November 2000 Seite 10
2.2.4 Available RF Channels
The following RF Channels can be chosen when configuring the Active Antenna Unit
via the Central Unit Software. The highlighted channels (grey) are preferred channels.
Please do not forget a minimum channel spacing of 3 channels within one cell.
RF Ch. Frequency [MHz] RF Ch. Frequency [MHz] RF Ch. Frequency [MHz]
12401.920 34 2430,432 67 2458.944
2 2402.784 35 2431,296 68 2459.808
3 2403.648 36 2432,160 69 2460.672
42404.512 37 2433,024 70 2461.536
5 2405.376 38 2433,888 71 2462.400
6 2406.240 39 2434,752 72 2463.264
72407.104 40 2435,616 73 2464.128
8 2407.968 41 2436,480 74 2464.992
9 2408.832 42 2437,344 75 2465.856
10 2409.696 43 2438,208 76 2466.720
11 2410.560 44 2439,072 77 2467.584
12 2411.424 45 2439,936 78 2468.448
13 2412.288 46 2440.800 79 2469.312
14 2413.152 47 2441.664 80 2470.176
15 2414.016 48 2442.528 81 2471.040
16 2414.880 49 2443.392 82 2471.904
17 2415.744 50 2444.256 83 2472.768
18 2416.608 51 2445.120 84 2473.632
19 2417.472 52 2445.984 85 2474.496
20 2418.336 53 2446.848 86 2475.360
21 2419.200 54 2447.712 87 2476.224
22 2420.064 55 2448.576 88 2477.088
23 2420.928 56 2449.440 89 2477.952
24 2421.792 57 2450.304 90 2478.816
25 2422.656 58 2451.168 91 2479.680
26 2423.520 59 2452.032 92 2480.544
27 2424.384 60 2452.896 93 2481.408
28 2425.248 61 2453.760 94 2482.272
29 2426.112 62 2454.624
30 2426.976 63 2455.488
31 2427.840 64 2456.352
32 2428.704 65 2457.216
33 2429.568 66 2458.080